Canine leptospirosis occurs when the dog is infected by leptospires. This usually happens when urine from an infected animal comes in contact with an open wound or a cut in the dog’s skin. Other cases of infection result from ingesting contaminated water or small mammals that are infected with the disease, such as rats. Dogs pass on the bacteria to other dogs and humans by bite wounds, and contact with infected bodily fluids.

Dogs infected with leptospirosis exhibit a number of symptoms, including fever, joint pains, and general malaise, all of which can last for as long as a week. When the organism makes its way to the kidneys, it will reproduce rapidly, resulting in complications such as inflammation and eventual kidney failure. Certain strains of the disease may affect the liver as well, and the results can be equally devastating.

As with most diseases, prevention is the best form of treatment for canine leptospirosis. Over the past three decades, a number of preventative vaccines have been developed with the goal of preventing Leptospires, L. canicola and L. icterohaemorrhagiae. These vaccinations have managed to effectively eradicate the majority of cases, although they do carry a certain degree of risk of their own, mostly due to reactions to the vaccine.

In fact, with the increase in the number of cases of canine leptospirosis associated with previously less common strains of the disease, a number of veterinarians have questioned the need for continued vaccinations, since these medications do not effectively target the comparatively rare strains of leptospirosis. Given the side effects that may result from what would seem to be an ineffective vaccination, its viability as a preventive course of action is severely in question.

As for what can actually be done once an animal has been infected, treatment options typically include antibiotic therapy during the early stages of the disease. This can help shorten the length of the infection and even reduce the severity of the symptoms.

A number of other treatment methods aim to ease the other symptoms associated with the disease. Since canine leptospirosis primarily affects the kidneys and the liver, these treatment methods aim to compensate for impaired blood, kidney and liver function. In addition, your vet may also recommend treatment that will restore urine production, improve kidney function and blood flow, all of which can prevent further kidney damage. In cases wherein the liver is affected, the resulting decrease in clotting may require blood transfusion.

Keep in mind that even while your dog is undergoing treatment for canine leptospirosis, and in fact may show signs of being disease free, his urine may still contain traces of the canine leptospirosa bacteria. This means that he may still pass on the disease to other dogs and humans for up to 3 months after the initial infection.